How early should I arrive for my visit?

To maximize your experience, aim to arrive at least 15 mins before your scheduled entry time.

Can I exit and re-enter during my visit?

No, unfortunately your ticket does not allow you to leave and return within the same day.

Can I see all the attractions with one ticket?

No, the State Rooms, The King's Gallery, and the Royal Mews are three separate attractions that require individual tickets.

Can I visit Buckingham Palace without going inside?

Yes, you can! The Palace's exterior is breathtaking, and you can also join a guided tour to watch the Changing the Guard ceremony. You can also book entry to the Royal Mews or The King’s Gallery, both located adjacent to Buckingham Palace.

What is the best way to see all three attractions?

The best strategy is to book an early morning slot for the State Rooms, as that's the busiest part of the day. You can then visit The King's Gallery and the Royal Mews, which are less crowded and can be visited at any time on the day of your booking.

Can I visit the Palace Garden without a ticket?

No, access to the Palace Garden is not included with standard tickets. You will walk through a small portion of the gardens on your way to the exit at the very end of the State Rooms tour. Special guided tours of the gardens are sometimes available, but they must be booked separately on the Royal Collection Trust website.

Are young children or infants allowed at Buckingham Palace?

Yes, absolutely! Buckingham Palace welcomes visitors of all ages, so feel free to bring your little ones along to experience the history and grandeur of this iconic landmark.

Can I take selfies with the guards?

You're welcome to take photos near the guards, but please keep a respectful distance and avoid disturbing them while they're on duty.

Does The King live in Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace is the official residence of The King. However, King Charles and Queen Camilla live at Clarence House, opposite the Palace.

Can I combine the tour with other attractions?

Absolutely. You have the opportunity to book combined tours that include other attractions, such as Windsor Castle, in one go.

Buckingham Palace visitor update

Step inside the working stables to see the Gold State Coach at the now-open Royal Mews or the King’s Gallery, or plan ahead for the State Rooms (open from July 9).

King's Gallery at Buckingham Palace with sculptures, paintings, and ornate decor.

From happy customers

Loved by 50 million+

Trustpilot rating: 4.5 out of 5

Yasser G

United States

Family

3 days ago

We had a great time, the tea was great and the sweets were delicious, we had some champagne and after the tea a walk on the dek to enjoy the view.

Veronique P

Belgium

Couple

4 days ago

+1 more

It was a really fun and interesting tour, but unfortunately we couldn't see everything because we had a ticket for London Bridge afterward, so we'll be back to see the rest

Simone M

Italy

Couple

Last week

Quick and easy entry—the Tower of London is a fantastic place in every corner, from the central tower and its ravens to the Crown Jewels.

Regina K

United States

Group

4 days ago

It was a wonderful exhibition. Made me feel close to the Queen. She had such unique and beautiful clothes. Very easy and quick to get in. Glad I got to see it.

Messieux A

France

Couple

6 days ago

Booking the tickets came at just the right time and saved our trip when tickets were sold out on the official website for the next 8 weeks. Picking up the tickets was easy and hassle-free on the day of the event at the Palais ticket office. A huge thank you to Headout!! I recommend them 200%

Roland J

Netherlands

Family

Last week

The London Headout Pass is really handy. We chose the 4-attraction option, but this turned out to be 3 premium and 1 standard ticket. This wasn’t very clear when we booked, so we ended up booking the wrong one. However, they refunded the credit for the mistake, allowing us to book something else—which was really nice.

Iana B

Switzerland

Couple

Last week

Guided tour of Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey with Svetlana Craig on Thursday, April 30, 2026. I went with my 16-year-old daughter. The tour with Svetlana was informative and entertaining, delivered with humor and ease. The tour was promised to last 2.5–3 hours but ended up lasting 3 hours and 15 minutes—which we didn’t even notice. It was so varied that I didn’t realize how much time had passed. I’d love to do it again on my next visit to London, and I’d also recommend Svetlana Craig to my friends. Many thanks and best regards from Zurich, Switzerland. Jana Blank.

Lindsay A

United States

Family

Apr 2026

Our guide, Natasha, was full of facts, heart warming stories, and was by far the best part of the tour. We recommend her to everyone. Thank you!

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Quick overview

Ways to explore: Choose between self-paced entry with multimedia guides or expert-led guided tours. Options range from focused 1-hour visits to comprehensive 7.5-hour royal day trips.
Unique access: Step inside the State Rooms (seasonal: July–Sept) to see 19 lavish public rooms, visit the Royal Mews to see the Gold State Coach and working stables, or choose The King's Gallery to see art from the Royal Collection.
Ceremony views: Small-group tours for the Changing the Guard provide strategic positioning and expert commentary, ensuring better views than standing at the palace gates alone.
When to book: The State Rooms are only open for ~10 weeks a year; these slots often sell out 8 weeks in advance. Book early to secure summer entry.
Good to know: Most tickets offer free cancellation and 'book now, pay later' flexibility. Security checks are mandatory and can take 15–30 minutes during peak times.
Best upgrade: The State Rooms + royal walking tour combo provides the most complete experience, pairing an indoor palace tour with a guided stroll through St. James’s Park.

Which Buckingham Palace ticket is best for you?

Ticket type	Includes	Guide	Why pick this	Price from
Buckingham Palace entry	Choice of 1 site	Audio	• Self-paced visit • Choice of site	£18
The King’s Gallery	Art exhibitions	Audio	• 160+ royal works • Yearly rotation	£19
Royal Mews	State coaches	Audio	• Working stables • See Gold State Coach	£18
Changing the Guard	Ceremony tour	Live	• Strategic views • Expert commentary	£14
State Rooms + walking tour	State Rooms + Park	Live + audio	• July–Sept only • Comprehensive visit	£59
Buckingham Palace + Windsor Castle	2 royal palaces	Audio	• Round-trip coach • 7.5-hour day trip	£125
Buckingham Palace + Tower of London	2 top icons	Audio	• Save ~5% • Crown Jewels included	£48

What to expect on your Buckingham Palace visit

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Experience the British monarchy

Buckingham Palace is your ticket to royal life! Unlike other royal buildings like the Tower of London, the monarch lives in Buckingham Palace!

Age-old British traditions

Don’t miss the Changing the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace! See soldiers in their classic bearskin hats and red coats, marching in perfect sync with music.

Access to the State Rooms (currently closed)

The State Rooms showcase royal luxury with masterpieces by Vermeer and Rembrandt. From the Throne Room to the White Drawing Room, every space tells a unique story!

Discover the royal carriages

Make sure to stop by the Royal Mews (open till November 1, 2026) to see the beautiful horses and iconic carriages used by the monarchy.

Stunning architecture

Its grand façade, which overlooks The Mall today, features one of the most familiar sights: the famous balcony on which members of the Royal Family appear on special occasions, setting the stage for royal moments.

Things to know before booking Buckingham Palace tickets

Ticket types: While there's no all-in-one ticket for Buckingham Palace, you can select tickets specifically for highlights like the State Rooms, The King's Gallery, the Royal Mews, or the Changing the Guard ceremony.
Dates to keep in mind: Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the British royal family, so not all parts of it are accessible to the public year-round. The Summer Opening for the State Rooms is from July 9, 2026 to September 27, 2026. Additionally, the Royal Mews are only open until November 1, 2026. The King’s Gallery is also only open until October 18, 2026. The Changing the Guard ceremony currently takes place on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday (subject to availability).
Combos: If you want to experience more of London’s rich history and its royal past, you can combine your Buckingham Palace experience with tours to Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and Big Ben. Situated close to each other, they can easily be experienced in just a day. Or, for a full day out, you can also get on a day tour that includes the other famous royal palace – Windsor Castle.

Your guide to the Buckingham Palace visitor attractions

State Rooms

Step inside Buckingham Palace to tour the State Rooms, a lavish collection of 19 public spaces where The King and the Royal Family host official ceremonies and guests.
This is your only chance to see the palace’s interior, filled with treasures from the Royal Collection.
To visit the State Rooms, you will have to wait for them to open to tourists in the summer (from July to September).

The King’s Gallery

If you're an art lover, don't miss The King's Gallery. Located right next to the Palace, The King's Gallery is a separate public art museum that hosts a changing program of exhibitions.
It showcases over 160 priceless works of art, including works by Michelangelo and Raphael, furniture, and other items from the Royal Collection, so you'll see a different show depending on when you visit.

Royal Mews

Discover the Royal Mews, one of the finest working stables in the world, where the King's state carriages and coaches are kept.
Here you’ll see all kinds of horse-drawn carriages, including the 260-year-old Gold State Coach used at every coronation since 1831, and the horses—Windsor Greys and the Cleveland Bays.
The Mews are open from March to November (currently closed).

Changing the Guard

Experience the world-famous ceremony of Changing the Guard, a display of military pageantry outside Buckingham Palace.
This tradition is a formal handover of duties between the old and new guard, with marching bands and precise drill movements.
While you can see it through the gates without a ticket, a guided tour will provide you with exclusive up-close views in the company of expert guides.

What to see on a tour of Buckingham Palace

The Mall – Changing the Guard

Your tour begins outside the palace gates, where you’ll see the famous ceremonial route and may even catch a glimpse of the iconic Changing the Guard ceremony.

About Changing the Guard

Victorial Memorial

Located right at the front of the palace, this memorial is your first photo opportunity and serves as a centerpiece to the royal estate.

East Front

As you approach the palace, you'll see the famous East Front and balcony where the Royal Family gathers for major national events.

Grand Staircase

You'll enter the palace and ascend the Grand Staircase, an opulent sight featuring bronze work and portraits of royalty.

Throne Room

This is the heart of the palace, where you’ll see the thrones used for coronations and royal weddings.

About the State Rooms

Picture Gallery

Walk through this gallery filled with masterpieces by artists like Van Dyck and Rubens, all hand-selected from the Royal Collection.

Ballroom

You'll be standing in the largest room in the palace, used for State Banquets and official Investitures for over a century. This summer, the Ballroom will feature The King’s Tour Artists exhibition.

State Dining Room

This formal dining room is where the King hosts state dinners, and you'll see the exquisite furniture and portraits that line the walls.

Blue Drawing Room

An elegantly decorated space, this room is a key location for formal events and has a spectacular ceiling painted with scenes from classical mythology.

White Drawing Room

Look closely, as this is one of the most private rooms in the palace. It features a concealed door disguised as a cabinet, allowing the King to enter discreetly.

The King’s Gallery

Located in a separate building adjacent to the palace, this gallery hosts a rotating selection of exhibitions from the Royal Collection.

About The King's Gallery

Royal Mews

Your tour concludes with a visit to the Royal Mews, a working stable where you can see the royal coaches, including the Gold State Coach, and meet the horses.

About the Royal Mews

Note:

The State Rooms are temporarily closed until July 9, 2026. Your State Rooms ticket only includes the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace and not the East Wing of the Palace.